Devoured: The Extraordinary Story of Kudzu, the Vine That Ate the South
(By Ayurella Horn-Muller)
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| Author | Ayurella Horn-Muller |
“A tangled natural history of an unlikely protagonist, Devoured ensnares the reader on the first page, taking them from the 1876 World’s Fair, across Florida’s freeways, and stopping off at a Memphis test-kitchen. Ayurella Horn-Muller provides a majestic account of the once-decorative vine, deeply probing the question of what it means to be invasive in America. A kudzu classic!” — Gloria Dickie, author of Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future
"In breathless prose, Horn-Muller untangles the assumptions and myths about kudzu, a vine alternately villainized and venerated. Guided by genuine curiosity, she leaves no leaf unturned, revealing what kudzu can tell us about our attitudes towards the food on our plates, the changing climate, and the migration of species—including humans." — Hannah Kirshner, author of Water, Wood, and Wild Things
“An enthralling tale of a seemingly ordinary plant, Devoured unravels a massive web of cultural complexities and historical intrigue. Horn-Muller invites readers to witness the extraordinary story of a single vine that resonates deeply with the diverse landscapes and cultures it intertwines. A truly mesmerizing saga of mystery, sacrifice, and belonging, this is a debut full of depth, warmth, and brilliance!” — Tirthak Saha, author of Flawed Prophets
"A delightful detangling of the cultural history and scientific mystery of the South’s most famous vine. Horn-Muller is as relentless as her subject as she questions the war on kudzu. She has given us a much-needed examination of so-called alien species and true invaders." — Cynthia Barnett, author of Rain: A Natural and Cultural History and The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of the Oceans
Kudzu abounds across the American South. Introduced in the United States in the 1800s as a solution for soil erosion, this invasive vine with Eastern Asian origins came to be known as a pernicious invader capable of smothering everything in its path. To many, the plant's enduring legacy has been its villainous role as the "vine that ate the South." But for a select few, it has begun to signify something else entirely. In its roots, a network of people scattered across the country see a chance at redemption—and an opportunity to remedy a fragment of troubled history.
Devoured: The Extraordinary Story of Kudzu, the Vine That Ate the South detangles the complicated story of the South's fickle relationship with kudzu, chronicling the ways the boundless weed has evolved over centuries, and dissecting what climate change could mean for its future across the United States. From architecture teams experimenting with it as a sustainable building material, to clinical applications treating binge-drinking, to chefs harvesting it as a wild edible, environmental journalist Ayurella Horn-Muller investigates how kudzu's notorious reputation in America is gradually being cast aside in favor of its promise.
Weaving rigorous research with poignant storytelling, Horn-Muller reveals how the “vine that ate the South” became a vessel to "other" those with origins from beyond U.S. borders. A timely narrative, Devoured challenges readers to reconsider how we decide who and what belongs in the changing landscapes around us.”
